Recall: Handi-Craft Company Recalls Three Toys

Handi-Craft Company Recalls Three Toys

PRODUCT: Three toy telephones distributed by Handi-Craft Co. :

• Thin Line Play Phone," Model 985, sold from August 1991 through April 1992;
• "Talking Touch Tinkle Phone," Model 3235, sold from January 1992 through April 1992; and
• "911 Emergency Phone Center," Model 3675, sold from June 1991 through April 1992.

PROBLEM: Small components separated from the toys during CPSC testing, presenting a potential aspiration and choking hazard for young children.

WHAT TO DO: Return the toy to place of purchase (for a replacement with a Handi-Craft toy telephone of equal value). For more information about this recall, consumers may call Handi-Craft (collect) at (314) 773-2979; consumers should ask for Norm Stewart.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Handi-Craft Company of St. Louis, MO, is voluntarily recalling a limited number of "Thin Line Play Phones," "Talking Touch Tinkle Phones," and "911 Emergency Phone Centers" because small components separated from the toys during CPSC testing, presenting a potential aspiration and choking hazard for young children.

The Thin Line Play Phones Model 985, which are subject to this recall, were sold from August 1991 through April 1992. These 51,000 phones were sold in retail stores nationwide for $5.00 to $10.00 each. The Thin Line Play Phone has 12 push buttons in the receiver. When the buttons are pushed, a bell rings. The phone comes in three colors: red, yellow and green, and measures 2-1/2 inches wide, eight inches long and two inches high. The phone also has a safety breakaway cord that comes apart when pulled. The label on the package reads, in part: "Thin Line Phone, Handi-Craft Company, St. Louis, MO 63116 ... MADE IN THE U.S.A." Some plastic posts used to secure the cardboard bottom to the base of the phone came off during CPSC testing. These components present a potential aspiration hazard to young children. Thin Line Play Phones Model 985A, sold after April 1992, have not been recalled and present no such potential hazard.

The Talking Touch Tinkle Phones, Model 3235, which are subject to this recall, were sold from January 1992 through April 1992. These 36,865 phones were sold in retail stores nationwide for $5.00 to $10.00 each. The Talking Touch Tinkle Phone is a talking battery-operated phone that measures eight inches long, 3-1/2 inches wide, and three inches high. The features of the phone include: 10 push buttons on the face of the phone that ring a bell when pushed, a safety breakaway cord that comes apart when pulled, and a receiver button that causes one of 10 different recorded messages to play when pushed. The label on the package reads in part: "Touch Tinkle Talking Play Phone, 10 Recorded Messages . . . MADE IN THE U.S.A." Some plastic posts used to secure the plastic bottom to the base of the phone, as well as the push buttons came off during CPSC testing. These components present a potential aspiration and choking hazard to young children. Talking Touch Tinkle Phones Model 3235A, sold after April 1992, have not been recalled and present no such potential hazard.

The 911 Emergency Phone Centers, Model 3675, which are subject to this recall, were sold from June 1991 through April 1992. These 3,600 phones were sold in retail stores nationwide for $10.00 to $15.00 each. This is a battery-operated talking phone emergency center with three vehicles, an ambulance, fire truck, and police car. On three sides of the center are push button release doors that are labeled with the names of each stored vehicle. The center measures 8-3/4 inches long, 6-1/4 inches high, and five inches wide. The center consists of a red roof, 12 push buttons and a yellow phone receiver with a safety breakaway cord that comes apart when pulled. When any of the buttons are pushed, one of 10 different recorded messages play. The label on each package reads in part: "911 Emergency Phone Center, Handi-Craft Company, St. Louis, MO . . . 10 recorded messages. 3 emergency vehicles included." Some hinge pins and latches used to secure and close the vehicle doors came off during CPSC testing. These components present a potential aspiration and choking hazard to young children. The 911 Emergency Phone Centers Model 3675A, sold after April 1992, have not been recalled and present no such potential hazard.

Consumers are urged to take these recalled toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a replacement with a Handi-Craft toy telephone of equal value. For more information about this recall, consumers may call Handi-Craft collect at (314) 773-2979 and ask for Norm Stewart.

Neither CPSC nor Handi-Craft is aware of any injuries involving these toys.

The potentially hazardous toys were identified by CPSC during an inspection of the firm.

CPSC is announcing this recall as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.